In July of 2009 a group of retired military and civilian personnel formed “The Society” to collect, preserve and promote the military aviation heritage of Prince Edward Island from early days, to the present and beyond. The following personnel made up the initial board and its advisors.

* Unfortunately, we lost Tom to his fatal aircraft accident in the Fall of 2009.

Although the current Society was formerly incorporated in 2009, there have been similar organizations formed and disbanded over the past two or more decades. The members were interested in preserving the aviation heritage of PEI and were instrumental in obtaining the three "Gate Guardian" aircraft now located at Slemon Park. Some of the names from these early days remain as our strongest supporters today.

On the 19^th of May, 1989, Letters Patent were issued in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island incorporating the P.E.I. Heritage Aircraft Society Ltd. The 1989 Membership List of the PEI Heritage Aircraft Society reads as follows;

Mission Statement 1989: The principal function of the P.E.I. Heritage Aircraft Society is to locate and secure heritage aircraft for display at CFB Summerside or any suitable location on P.E.I. Former military aircraft are of prime importance. The P.E.I. Heritage Aircraft Society mandate is to be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and up-keep of the aircraft already on display at CFB Summerside, as well as the general appearance of the surrounding grounds throughout the years to come.

In an agreement, made the 27^th day of March 1992, between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of National Defence (DND) and Slemon Park Corporation (SPC) and WHEREAS BY Order-In-Council P.C. 1991-8 of the 24th day of June 1991 the Minister of Public Works was duly authorized to sell the lands hereinafter described to SPC for the sum of One ($1.00) Dollar and issue Letters Patent therefor, subject to the conditions as therein stated;

At a meeting held October 28, 1999 the PEI Heritage Aircraft Society made a decision to turn over the aircraft to SPC. In a document signed March 30, 2000, the Officers of the PEI Heritage Aircraft Society agree to turn over the ownership of the above mentioned aircraft (Argus/Tracker/CF-101 Voodoo) to the Slemon Park Corporation immediately. The Officers of Slemon Park Corporation agree to take over possession and ownership of the above mentioned aircraft effective immediately. Aircraft Society members want to remain in an advisory capacity. The Officers of Slemon Park Corporation have already agreed to keep the aircraft on the property of Slemon Park Corporation so long as it is possible to maintain the maintenance of the said aircraft.

On October 4, 2000, with the ownership of the aircraft transferred, members of the PEI Heritage Aircraft Society decided to terminate their organization. Some members joined the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (PEI Chapter) in Charlottetown. On termination, the PEI Heritage Aircraft Society donated $1,800 to SPC to help with aircraft maintenance.

The next reference to a group interested in aircraft heritage was March 8, 2006 when a group met with a view to acquire funds and support for the refinishing of the three aircraft at Slemon Park. Over the next two years a series of meetings and discussions took place as to how best refinish the aircraft and how to raise the capital required for the task. In the summer of 2008, the group decided to call itself “Friends of the Summerside Aircraft Preservation Project”.

At this time it was decided that the appearance of the Argus had deteriorated to an unacceptable level. A decision was made to spruce up the Argus appearance by repairing and painting the radar and ECM domes, painting the undercarriage, propellers and the lightning stripe on the starboard side.

Our efforts were completed by the end of September 2008. However, while we did make a bit of a difference, it was obvious that the entire aircraft needed to be refinished with some minor repairs and a new coat of paint. Our other two aircraft were also in need of some TLC. During the next few months efforts were made to identify secure sources of funds to refinish the three aircraft. This led to the formation of our current organization, the "Aviation Heritage Society (PEI) Inc." in July 2009.